Tuesday, October 04, 2016

Bishop McDaid laments drift away from Catholic Church as ravages of Parkinson's force him to retire

Catholic Bishop of Clogher Liam McDaid stood down at the weekend after revealing he was suffering from Parkinson's disease.

Dr McDaid said the condition had become "increasingly problematic" and was beginning to "interfere" with his work.

In a heartfelt letter read out at Masses in the diocese, Dr
McDaid, from Bundoran in Co Donegal, said Pope Francis had accepted his
resignation in light of medical advice.

He revealed that his health problems first emerged seven years ago
when parishioners "noticed the tell-tale tremor" in his hands at the
altar, which was subsequently diagnosed as Parkinson's.

"When I was appointed to take on the responsibility of being your
bishop, I was advised medically not to let this condition prevent me
from taking on the challenge but to keep it under review and follow
medical advice," said Dr McDaid.

"I was fortunate to have excellent medical care but it is a
neuro-degenerative condition which over time gets worse rather than
better, to put it simply."

Describing his schedule as "stressful and demanding", he said it was
"inevitable" that his condition would become "increasingly problematic"
and "interfere with my capacity to fulfil my responsibilities".

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The 71 year-old explained how six months ago his medical team "called
time" on his role as bishop and quoted part of a report by Professor
Daniel Healy, his consultant neurologist, who wrote: "I have advised him
on medical grounds that he should retire from his position as Bishop of
Clogher.

"Bishop McDaid has bravely tried to continue to the best of his
abilities with his mission and episcopal responsibility. However, I am
now of the view that this is having a negative impact on his quality of
life and health."

"That does not leave much room for discussion, especially when your
body appears to be giving the same message," said Dr McDaid, adding that
the diocese "will not be left rudderless" in his absence.

Reflecting on the future of the Church and where he believes the
problems are, Dr McDaid said some parishioners "find it difficult to see
beyond the bishop and priest".

"When adults and parents opt out of church on account of the
shortcomings and failures of the messengers, is this not impoverishing
themselves and their children, effectively depriving them of the
nourishment and guidance which they can find only in the message of
Christ?

"I am not saying these things out of pique or in a rant, but out of
concern for my Church and its members. We are missing out on the talents
and energy of so many good people," he commented. Dr McDaid, who held
the position since 2010, said it was "sad to see" people "wasting so
much precious time criticising and denigrating the Church when they
could do so much for their community".

And he claimed that communities now "suffer a similar loss in our schools".

"Teachers do some marvellous catechetical work but they feel they are
often working in a vacuum with little or no support in comparable
instruction from parents, and little or no church attendance to give it
all a community foundation and backing. If we had these members back and
involved, what new life and vitality could we then give to each other's
flagging spirits?

"Throughout the diocese I have witnessed and experienced much joy and
neighbourliness among people as together they seek to build up the
community. This is despite the obstacles, current and historic, that
often lurk in the background," he said.

Dr McDaid added that "much progress" has been made in "overcoming
obstacles of the past and present" throughout the wider Church, and paid
tribute to Archbishop Michael Jackson of Dublin and of his successor as
Bishop of Clogher, Bishop John McDowell.

"Together with others, they have moved ecumenical respect and activity to a new level."

In concluding his letter, Dr McDaid said it had been a "privilege" to
serve as bishop and added: "It is with some reluctance that I go, yet I
know that it is the right decision.

"I offer my apologies and ask forgiveness from anyone I have wronged
or failed in my ministry. It is time to prepare for the next phase of
the journey. I ask you to remember me in your prayers, as I will
continue to remember all of you."

Never one to hold back, Dr McDaid regularly shared his thoughts on
society and Church, including likening the child sex abuse scandal that
rocked the Catholic Church to a "surgeon's knife" that "has been painful
but necessary".

During his first speech as bishop six years ago, Dr McDaid said:
"Society has forced us in the Irish Church to look into the mirror and
what we saw were weakness and failure, victims and abuse.

"The surgeon's knife has been painful but necessary. A lot of evil
and poison has been excised. There comes a time when the surgeon's knife
has done what it can, is put away and a regime of rehabilitation for
the patient is put in place. We have been brought to our knees, but
maybe that is no bad thing."